#MenuMonday: Potted Chocolate Mint Puddings

These Potted Chocolate Mint Puddings are the perfect dessert for any kids event or spring themed event. These treats are sure to excite even the pickiest of taste buds. They will also be a good display piece as they look like they could be in a real garden!

Ingredients

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Salt
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon pure mint extract
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
10 chocolate wafer cookies
Garnish: mint sprigs

Directions

Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Combine cream, milk, and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.
Pour 1 cup cream mixture into sugar mixture, and whisk until cornstarch is dissolved. Add remaining cream mixture, and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and add chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat. Add mint extract and butter, and whisk until butter melts. Quickly divide pudding, whisking as you work to prevent sides from setting up, among eight 4-ounce glasses or glass flowerpot votive candle holders, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top of each. Refrigerate until set, about 1 1/2 hours.
Just before serving, pulse cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Top each pudding with 1 tablespoon ground-cookie “dirt,” and garnish with a planted mint sprig. Serve chilled.

Yield: 8 servings

Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Original Recipe: http://www.marthastewart.com/350027/potted-chocolate-mint-puddings

Make sure to let us know if you enjoyed these spring-inspired Potted Chocolate Mint Puddings!

Check back on www.bctent.com/blog every Monday for a #MenuMonday party food or beverage recipe!